Apparatus for storing and handling containers



Feb. 1, 1955 c. A. BERTEL 2,701,065

APPARATUS FOR STORING AND HANDLING CONTAINERS Filed Sept. 6, 1950 4 Shets-Sheet 1 a Q I a w I c 6 G. N

we a a a m a a a W i [R Q R i INVENTOR 2 I JZQJQ a. 73W

ATTORNEY$ C. A. BERTEL Feb. l, 1955 APPARATUS FOR STORING AND HANDLING CONTAINERS Filed Sept. 6, .1950

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTbRNEYj Feb. 1, 1955 c. A. BERTEL 2,701,065

APPARATUS FOR STORING AND HANDLING CONTAINERS Filed Sept. 6, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 u n v I J J fl 59 I p k L 224 58 m 22 If k 226 Z3 1 l-zz W INVENTOR W) ATTORNEYS Feb. 1, 1955 c. A. BERTEL 2,701,065

APPARATUS FOR STORING AND HANDLING CONTAINERS Filed Sept. 6, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I IQ Y" INVENTOR Z.MZ

ATTO R N EYS United States Patent APPARATUS FOR STORING AND HANDLING CONTAINERS Charles A. Bertel, New Orleans, La.

Application September 6, 1950, Serial No. 183,384

1 Claim. (Cl. 214-16.1)

My invention relates to a method and apparatus for use in storing and handling containers in stacked rows. As the invention is particularly useful in connection with the storing or parking of automobiles in cages to enable the parking of a much greater number in a given floor area than has heretofore been possible, it will be described in that connection. It will be understood, however, that the invention is also useful in storing such objects as crates, cotton bales and other like objects which can be stacked one upon the other and is particularly useful where the object handled has to be kept on an even keel in horizontal position.

The primary object of my invention is the provision of method and apparatus for storing cages in superimposed relationship in stacks and for removing them from the stacts.

Another object of my invention is the provision in apparatus of the character described of cages for containing the automobiles to be parked.

A further object of the invention is the provision of crane and hoisting mechanism for handling the caged automobiles, in stacking them and removing them from stacked position, and for handling the stacked cages in a manner to enable the placing of automobiles to be parked in any desired stack at any level.

A more specific object of the invention is the provision of a traveling hoisting unit for lifting and holding the cages of any stack above the cage selected for removal, and a traveling hoisting unit for handling and removing the selected cage from. the stack while the cages above are in lifted position.

Another object of my invention is the provision in apparatus of the character described employing a lifting and holding hoisting unit and a parking and take out unit of a gantry crane for supporting said units.

One of the important features of my invention is the fact that in parking automobiles in cages the cages must be kept in a nearly horizontal position so as to prevent sliding of the automobile in the cage, i. e. they should not be tilted. In the stacking of cotton bales and the like this feature is not so important for the bales can be engaged at one end only and pulled from the stack without doing any damage (see for example my Patent 1,810,100). The caged automobiles obviously could not be subjected to such treatment and it is, therefore, another of the principal objects of my invention to provide a hoisting apparatus which will handle the cages on an even keel in horizontal position.

I have illustrated my invention in the preferred form in the accompanying drawings wherein Figure 1 is an end elevational view of mechanism constructed in accordance with my invention and illustrates several rows of stacks with aisles therebetween.

Figure 2 is a sectional front elevational view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary elevational view similar to Figure 1 but showing a caged automobile removed from the stack and positioned in an aisle.

Figure 4 is an isometric view of one of the cages I employ;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary elevational view illustrating a modification of the invention;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a modified form of hoisting mechanism;

Figure 7 is an end elevational view of modified supporting structure in the form of a gantry crane;

Figure 8 is a front view of Figure 6.

Referring to the drawings I have indicated an automobile A in dot and dash lines in one of the cages C of Figure 2 and in the cage C of Figure 1 and have diagrammatically illustrated the other cages. The stacked cages are arranged in rows R with aisles B between the rows as viewed in Figure 1. In this figure I have shown three rows of stacks each six cages high and in Figure 2 I have shown three spaced stacks S of a row, it being understood however, that the number of rows and stacks and the height of the stacks may be altered to suit any particular condition. For example it would be quite possible to place two rows R close together if desired with aisle B between the double rows, rather than between single rows, as illustrated.

The cages C are preferably of metal construction with end doors 6 which can be opened downwardly to form a ramp as shown in Figure 4 for driving an automobile into and out of the cage.

The hoisting mechanism in general comprises a hoisting unit E which may be termed a iifting and holding hoisting unit; a hoisting unit F which may be termed a parking and take out unit; and a crane unit G mounted to travel in a direction lengthwise of the stacks.

The hoisting units E and F and the crane unit G are all mounted to travel on tracks and as illustrated are hand propelled. However, in cases of extremely heavy loads and where higher speed of operation are required the units may be power propelled in any well known manner. The hoisting units E and F are provided with any well known braking mechanism to lock them in holding position.

The crane unit G comprises a pair of spaced I beams 7, 7 spanning the rows of stacks and aisles, and having end trucks 8 riding on rails 9 supported from the structure 10. The hoisting units E and F are mounted to travel along these I beams as will now appear.

The lifting and holding hoisting unit E is underslung from the bottom of the crane 1 beams, that is, it is hung from the lower flanges 11 of the I beams to travel therealong by means of wheels 12 mounted in bearing hangers 13 secured to the supporting frame 14 of the unit. A motor 15 mounted on the frame 14 has a pair of drums 16 and 17 secured on its shaft 18 on which the looped lifting cables 19 and 20 are wound. One end of the cable 19 is connected to the drum 16 and leads from the top thereof upwardly over a guide pulley 21 mounted on the frame 14, then downwardly to a corner hook 22 of the cage C then crosswise to the opposite corner hook 22, then upwardly over a second guide pulley 23 mounted on the frame 14 in axial alignment with the pulley 21, then downwardly and over the drum 17 for attachment thereto.

The other lifting cable 20 has one end connected to the drum 16 and then passes from the bottom of this drum over a guide pulley 24 mounted on the frame 14, then downwardly to a corner hook 22a of the cage, then crosswise to the opposite corner hook 22a, then upwardly over a guide pulley in axial alignment with the pulley 24 and then downwardly and under the drum 17 for attachment thereto. Suitable guards 21a are provided on the guide pulley to prevent displacement of the cables. Upon operation of the motor the cables 19 and 20 are wound and unwound from the drums to lift or lower the cage C together with the superimposed cages. The lifting or lowering of these cages is in a vertical direction and so in suspended position the cages have the same horizontal orientation as in the stacked position. Thus, the automobiles do not slide about in the cages.

The take out unit F is mounted to travel along the I beams 7, 7 by means of wheels 25 riding on tracks 26 secured to the top of the l beams. These wheels are mounted in bearing members 27 carried by the supporting frame 28 of the unit. A motor 29 mounted on the frame 28 has a pair of drums 30 and 31 secured on its shaft 32 on which the looped cables 33 and 34 are wound. One end of the cable 33 is connected to the drum 30 and leads from the top thereof downwardly ever a guide pulley 35 mounted on the frame 28 to a corner hook 22 of the selected cage C there crosswise to the opposite corner book 22, then upwardly over a second guide pulley 36 in axial alignment with the pulley 35, and then over the drum 31 for attachment thereto. The other cable 34 has one end connected to the drum 30 and then passes from the bottom of this drum over a guide pulley 37 mounted on the frame 28, then downwardly to a corner hook 224 of the cage, then crosswise to the opposite corner hook 220. then upwardly over a guide pulley in axial alignment with the pulley 37 and then under the drum 31 for attachment thereto. Upon operation of the motor 29 the cables 33 and 34 are wound and unwound from the drums to lift or lower the cage C With the cage C in the suspended position of Figures 1 and 2 it may then be readily moved out of the stack and into the aisle as shown in Figure 3 by moving the unit F along the tracks 26. The lifting or lowering of this cage is in a vertical direction and so in suspended position the cage has the same horizontal orientation as in the stacked position. Thus, the automobile does not slide about in the cage.

In operation the crane G is first moved over the particular stack in which the automobile to be taken out is located and then the units E and F are positioned over this stack with the looped cables wound up toward the units. The cables 19 and 20 of the hoisting and holding unit E are then lowered and looped into engagement with the hooks 22 and 22a of the cage above the cage selected for take out. In the drawings the cage selected for take out is indicated by letter C and the cage above by letter C The motor is then operated to wind up the cables and lift this cage C and those superimposed thereon to a height leaving a substantial clearance space at K. With these cages held suspended in this position the cables 33 and 34 of the take out unit F are then lowered and looped into engagement with the hooks 22 and 22a of the selected cage C and the motor 29 is operated to wind up these cables and lift the selected cage into a suspended position as shown in Figures 1 and 2. The take out unit F is then moved along the tracks 26 to bring the cage out into the aisle after which it is lowered to the floor for removal of the automobile from the cage.

It is to be noted that in order to avoid interference between the cables of the two units the hooks 22 and 22a are located at the corners of the cages and the guide pulleys of the take out unit F are more widely spaced apart than the guide pulleys of the hoisting and holding unit E. In this way the cables 33 and 34 of the unit F will lie outside of the cables 19 and 20 of the unit E to be clear of each other when cages are being moved out of the stacks. To further insure against cable interference spreader rods 22b are provided to space opposite runs of cables 33 and 34 sufficiently to clear the cages above the one selected.

Instead of lowering the selected cage to the floor of the aisle and there removing the automobile and driving it down to the aisle to an exit, it may be desirable in some instances to move the selected cage down the aisle by means of the crane G to a control point for removal of the automobile. If this is done it will, of course, be necessary to lower the cages above the one selected into position onto the floor or onto another cage of the stack in order to permit the holding and hoisting unit E to be moved to a position above the aisle or to wind the cables 19 and 20 to such height that they will clear the top of any stacks over which the unit might pass.

After the automobile has been removed the empty cage may be returned to its original position in the stack and the suspended cages lowered onto it, or, if the suspended cages have been lowered, the empty one can be placed on top of the stack. In certain of the stacks where the cages are in position in which an automobile can be driven in from the end, the empty cage can, if desired, be put on the bottom of the stack in position to have a car driven in from the end.

The arrangement of the rows of stacks and the arrangement and size of the aisles may be altered to suit various conditions of parking. For example instead of parking the automobiles lengthwise of the aisles as shown in the drawing it may be desirable in some instances to park them crosswise of the aisles or part one way and part the other way.

In the modification illustrated in Figure I have shown the cables 19, 20, 33 and 34 of the hoisting and holding units in direct looped engagement with the cages, i. 6. without employing hooks as described above, and in order to be able to loop the cables under the C 35 P spacing blocks 38 betweenthe cages. In this figure I have shown boatswain chairs or seats 39 attached to cables 40 leading to the drum of the take-out unit F. These seats may be raised or lowered and can be used by the operators to manipulate the cables or attach them to the cages at various elevations. Such bosum chairs can also be used in the form of invention illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, if desired.

While in preferred form I employ looped cables as above described I also contemplate employing separate cables at each corner extending downwardly from the dums for attachment to the cages at the corners there- 0 In Figure 6 I have shown a modification employing toggle means for moving the cable guide pulleys of the units E and F in and out to enable an operator stationed at the units to manipulate the cables in applying them to the cages, i. e., to enable a crane operator stationed at the top to manipulate the cables into engagement with the cages without help from below. The toggle means comprises toggles 41 attached to blocks 42 of the pulley shafts 43 operated by hand wheels 44 having threaded sleeve portions 45 in screw threaded engagement with threaded studs 46 secured to the frames of the units E and F. The toggles 41 are jointed at 47 on blocks 48 carried by the sleeve portions 45 of the hand wheels. When the hand wheels are turned in one direction the guide pulleys are moved outwardly and when turned in the other direction the guide pulleys are moved inwardly thus moving the cables with them. In this connection it is pointed out that due to weight of the articles handled the size of cable employed is quite rigid so that movement of the guide pulleys in and out is transmitted to the lower looped portions of the cables whereby they can be manipulated into engagement with the cages.

In Figures 7 and 8 I have illustrated a modified form of supporting structure for the units E and F in the form of a gantry crane especially adapted for use in parking lots where the use of fixed supporting structure might be objectionable. In this form the uprights 49 of the structure are provided with wheels 50 which may run on the ground or on rails as desired. By referring to Figure 8 it will be seen that the uprights 49 are connected at the top by beams 50 and that I beams 51 corresponding to the I beams 7 of Figure 2 are secured to the top beams 50. The units E and F are mounted to ride on these I beams in the manner described above. Stacked cages are indicated in these figures in dot and dash lines. In use the gantry crane just described is moved lengthwise of the rows of stacks to the desired position and the units E and F are operated in the same manner as described above.

In the claims, for the sake of convenience, I refer to the storage and handling of cages. It will be understood, however, that this is for the sake of convenience only for the apparatus claimed can be used to handle a variety of objects, as above pointed out.

I claim:

Apparatus for storing cages in stacks arranged in rows with aisles therebetween and for removing selected cages from the stacks, comprising a crane mounted to travel lengthwise of said rows of stacks, an overhead hoisting and holding unit mounted on said crane to travel along it in a direction crosswise of said rows of stacks, an overhead take-out unit mounted on said crane to travel along it in a direction crosswise of the rows of stacks independently of said first unit, said hoisting and holding unit comprising a pair of aligned drums, a pair of guide pulleys associated with said drums at each side thereof, cables leading from the drums over the guide pulleys engageable with any stacked cage to lift it and any superposed thereon into a suspended position and a motor for driving said drums, said take-out unit comprising a pair of aligned drums, a pair of guide pulleys associated with said drums at each side thereof, cables leading from the drums over the guide pulleys and engageable with any cage selected for removal from the stack to lift it into a suspended position, the horizontal orientation of the cage in suspended position being substantially the same as in the stacked position, a motor for driving said drums, said pairs of guide pulleys of the take-out unit being more widely spaced apart than the pairs of guide pulleys of the hoisting and holding unit to prevent cable interference when the takeout unit is moved along said Crane to remove a selected cage from the stack and mechanism for moving said pairs of guide pulleys toward and away from said units to enable manipulation of the cables in attaching them to the cages.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 982,883 Schnabel Jan. 31, 1911 6 Bertel June 16, 1931 Ferris et al Mar. 29, 1932 Bertel Mar. 21, 1939 FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Feb. 24, 1939 

